Why Are Men The Head of a Household?

What Does it Mean to be Head of The Household?

In the epistle of Ephesians(5:22-24) and a few other places(1 Peter 3), we read that men are the head of their wife. So, what does this exactly mean? A head of household, according to most definitions, is one who makes the majority of decisions and is the one who brings in the paycheck. Husbands, according to the Bible, are the ones who are to take this role while a woman is to be a supporter of sorts, to look after the family. 

Now, when one hears a woman is to submit to their husband, a bad image comes into mind. That women must follow everything a man commands, however, this is not what Paul means here, we'll explain this throughout the article. In Ephesians 5, Paul uses a strong analogy. Relating that as Christ loved the church, so too must the husband love his wife. 

As he says, "22 Wives, submit(or be subject) ..." (Ephesians 5:22 KJV), submitting to your husband means allowing him to take his role as head of the home. "...yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself...31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh," (Ephesians 5:22-31 KJV). As head of the household, a husband must love their wife just as Christ did love the church. He must give his all to his wife and his family(Ephesians 5:25) and he must provide for his family(1 Timothy 5:8).

Why Are Men The Head of a Household?

Well, there are a few reasons why God may have decided this to be so. Firstly, men are stronger and are meant for work. Not to say women can not do it, as they can, but men can do hard labor far easier. Women also are far more emotional, specifically in emotion regulation, not that this is a bad thing as it makes women better in other elements, but as men are more logical and protectors[1, 2, 3, 4, 5] it'd make more sense for them to get this role. Now, this is not to say women don't have any right over the household, as any wise man would ask their wife for advice or their opinion. It should also be noted their kids must also obey them(within reason of course), as the Bible notes in Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20.